Seraphina Lotkhamnga on September 5th, 2013

1

Although it was cool of Sleigh Bells – the Brooklyn duo comprised of Derek Miller and Alexis Kruass – to direct their own video for new single “Bitter Rivals” through the Creators Project, it isn’t distracting enough to sway one from comparing them to the Ting Tings. Sleigh Bells’ mashup of R&B, pop, punk and electronica still rattles the eardrums far too much to become two-hit wonders like the former, but they’ve seem to have lost the edge that made their debut “Treats” such a rush. Their sophomore record “Reign of Terror” was no sophomore slump, but using a Charles Dickens quote for a shout-lyric along with a wavering thin falsetto during a nearly-there hook isn’t redeeming their initial noisy rebel status either. Their music videos unfortunately seem to be following suit. Krauss went from lighting things on fire and jumping in bed with a rifle to doing dainty dances in Katy Perry-esque wigs, and Miller’s simply become a sidekick with a guitar. The Bells may be back, but whether or not they’re coming back in full force is uncertain. Their third studio album “Bitter Rivals” is out Oct. 9 via Mom + Pop.

||| Previously: “Comeback Kid,” “Born To Lose,” live at FYF Fest 2012, live at Coachella 2011

||| Live: Sleigh Bells play Oct. 18 at the El Rey Theatre with Doldrums.